Free swim Fridays announced for Merced kids

Children looking for a place to stay cool throughout July will have a free option thanks to a nonprofit.

Swimming for children will be free at McNamara Park for the next five Fridays through Aug. 7 because of a donation from the Merced Satellite Rotary Club, officials announced this week.

“We’re excited to be giving back to the community through this sponsorship,” club chairman Adam Cox said. “We hope this will be the beginning of a long tradition of community support by our club.”

The pool at the 1040 Canal St. park is open 3 to 6 p.m. every Friday through Sunday. The normal cost to swim is $1 for children and $2 for adults.

Mike Conway, who oversees the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, confirmed that the free swim Fridays will be open to anyone younger than 18, but adults still will be required to pay an entry fee.

Adult swimming is free from 7 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays at the McNamara Park pool, as well as from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Merced High School pool, 205 W. Olive Ave. The adult swimming is part of the city’s Healthy Eating Active Lifestyle Program.

This story was originally published July 8, 2015 at 12:25 PM with the headline "Free swim Fridays announced for Merced kids."